Check out the latest buzz about ordering blood tests online:

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It is estimated that over 30 million Americans suffer from thyroid problems, yet most are unaware of it. January is Thyroid Awareness Month, a time for all of us to take control of our health: familiarize ourselves with the thyroid and its functions, as well as the risks and symptoms of thyroid disease. For example, did you know that thyroid disease is the most common endocrine disorder? According to statistics from the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE), the number of people suffering from thyroid disease exceeds those diagnosed with diabetes by more than 40%. This number is outstanding, especially considering that many people don’t even know what the thyroid is!

So, what exactly is the thyroid?

The Thyroid
Located in the neck, the thyroid is one of the largest endocrine glands in the body. The thyroid gland uses iodine to produce thyroid hormones, the most important of those being thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). The thyroid controls how quickly your body uses energy, makes proteins and how sensitive your body is to other hormones. Thyroid disease is easily and frequently misdiagnosed, and typically the blood work done during your annual physical does not test for it.

Am I at Risk?
There are many risk factors for thyroid disease, some of these include:

-GENDER: Females are at greater risk than men; women are at least 7 times more likely to develop thyroid disease in their lifetime
-AGE: Individuals over the age of 50 are at higher risk
-FAMILY HISTORY: Having a family history of autoimmune and/or thyroid disease increases your risk
-LIFESTYLE: smoking increases your risk of developing thyroid disease
-PREGNANCY: your risk of developing thyroid disease, specifically hypothyroidism, increases after pregnancy
-DIET: High consumption of soy products and/or raw goitrogenic foods (turnips, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, etc) can have a negative impact on thyroid health
-IODINE: exposure to iodine increases your risk of developing thyroid disease
-And many more…

Symptoms
Thyroid disease is frequently misdiagnosed as depression. Some key signs and symptoms of thyroid disease include:

-Unusually high or low blood pressure
-Extreme thirst or hunger
-Enlarged or tender neck or lump in neck
-Weakness and fatigue
-Low body temperature
-Aches, pains and stiffness in joints, hands and feet
-Hair loss
-Depression
-Insomnia
-Low sex drive
-Infertility
-Tremors
-Intolerability to heat or cold
-And many more…

Thyroid Testing
Are you one of the millions of Americans that has thyroid disease? Find out! If you visit www.personalabs.com, you can order a Thyroid Profile with TSH for only $45 (for additional discounts use code LAB4NF), which is a complete evaluation of your body’s thyroid function. This blood test measures the amount of Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH) in your blood stream to determine if you suffer from hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism. The test also measures your levels of thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) circulating in your blood stream, which helps to evaluate your thyroid health. You will also find an extensive selection of other blood tests on the website that you can order at your convenience.

Visit www.personalabs.com, where you can find the same blood tests ordered by your doctor without the need a doctor’s visit. Avoid expensive mark-ups and doctor’s fees and take control of your thyroid health this January for Thyroid Awareness Month!

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In the wake of news that Adult Industry Medical Health Foundation (AIM), in Sherman Oaks, CA has been temporarily closed, many adult entertainers find themselves without affordable, reliable and confidential blood test options. Although AIM was the lab testing leader in the adult entertainment industry, many don’t know that you can order the exact same lab test online for the same ((or cheaper)) price from anywhere in the country.  JustGetTested.com, a leading online lab test site, offers  blood test profile specifically designed for the adult industry. The blood test profile, or Adult Entertainment Industry Talent Test Profile, on JustGetTested.com tests for HIV by PCR, Gonorrhea and Chlamydia and retails at $130.00 (You can save money on this test by using coupon code LAB4NF). In addition to providing recommended STD testing, JustGetTested.com offers unparalleled confidentiality allowing only the person ordering the test access to results.

According to Edward Salko, D.O. and Sonny Patidor, M.D., co-medical directors of JustGetTested.com, it is imperative to inform adult industry talent that options are available.

“AIM’s closing is concerning because it filled an important health need in the porn industry. Anyone working in the adult industry is at risk for contracting a number of sexually transmitted diseases and infections – including HIV,” says Salko. “Although testing alone won’t stop the spread of infections, regular testing is recommended by the Centers for Disease control.  The industry standard is to be tested monthly. HIV by PCR tests can detect the disease as soon as 28 days after exposure. Adult entertainers need to know that there is still an affordable and confidential means of getting blood tested.”

It is important for EVERYONE to always practice safe sex and a HUGE part of that is getting tested! JustGetTested.com offers all STD tests online, including the one required for members of the adult entertainment industry. You can also use the coupon code LAB4NF to receive discounts on your order, so you can get the Adult Entertainment Industry Talent Test Profile for an even cheaper price than AIM was offering! Go to www.JustGetTested.com and check it out!

Testosterone is a steroid hormone made by the body. It is produced primarily in the ovaries of women and in the testes of men. In men, the role of testosterone is essential for developing and maintaining reproductive tissues and bone strength, increasing muscle mass and strength, and stimulating sperm production and overall sexual health.

When boys reach puberty, their bodies begin to produce higher levels of testosterone which deepens their voice, stimulates the growth of facial and body hair, builds muscle and bone, and increases their sex drive. Throughout adulthood, the hormone plays a crucial role in many aspects of a man’s health. It affects mental and physical energy, libido, and sperm development (among others), and recent studies suggest it may play a part in maintaining cardiovascular health. Once a man reaches his 30s to 40s, testosterone levels begin to steadily decline. Although this is a normal part of aging, it is not uncommon for testosterone levels in some males to decrease more than others. This could cause symptoms such as erectile dysfunction, mood problems or depression, low sex drive, weight gain, muscle fatigue and problems sleeping.

If you are a male over the age of 30 and have been experiencing some or all of the symptoms mentioned above, you could be suffering from Low Testosterone, or Low T. A simple blood test can tell you have Low T and monitoring your hormone and chemical levels can help you have an informed conversation with your medical provider to make positive lifestyle changes. Unfortunately, many men are often reluctant to talk about these issues with their physician or medical provider because they are embarrassed or think it is just another side effect of age. However, this can be dangerous because Low T may be associated with several chronic medical conditions such as diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease. Simple blood tests can indicate abnormal levels indicating increased risk of these diseases.

You can order a testosterone blood test online at www.justgettested.com that may help you determine the cause of your sluggishness, muscle loss and weight gain, as well as erectile dysfunction issues. Knowing your blood levels will give you information you need to seek medical assistance. Visit www.justgettested.com for more information on Low T and to order your Testosterone Free and Total lab panel. (**You can save money on your order by using the coupon code LAB4NF**)

Men: it is important to take care of yourselves at every age. Get yourself tested to have a good baseline from which to determine your level of health and take control of your healthcare!

You can also visit www.isitlowt.com for more information and resources on Low T.

Today is World AIDS Day, a time for us to remember those whose lives have been claimed by this devastating disease. In addition to honoring those we have lost to HIV/AIDS, we must also take this opportunity to raise awareness of the disease to help put a stop to the AIDS pandemic.

Over 25 million people have died from the disease since 1981, the year AIDS was first recognized, making it one of the most destructive diseases in recorded history. It killed over 2 million people in 2007 alone. Today there are an estimated 33.4 million people living with HIV worldwide and new cases continue to increase in every region of the world.

If you are sexually active and have never been tested for HIV, you need to get tested. The Center for Disease Control recommends that every individual over the age of 13 get tested at least once. If you are leading a high-risk lifestyle that includes: an active heterosexual or homosexual sex lifestyle with more than one partner, sexual contact with a partner who has been diagnosed with HIV or other STDs or STIs, or intravenous needle sharing, you should be tested. Testing is also recommended for women who are pregnant or nursing or planning to become pregnant and believe they may have been exposed. Testing is recommended for those who are risk for HIV at 3 months, 6 months and again at 12 months. If you are experiencing symptoms and have engaged in high risk activities, you should be tested, even if you’ve tested negative in the past.

You can save yourself time and money by ordering your HIV blood test online at justgettested.com. This eliminates the need to go to a doctor’s office to get the lab order, which is not only easier and more cost effective, but also 100% confidential. Make responsible lifestyle and health care choices and help put an end to HIV/AIDS. In honor of World AIDS Day, do your part and GET TESTED!!

**Use coupon code LAB4NF to save even more money on your order at justgettested.com**

In honor of Diabetes Awareness Month this November, it is important for all Americans (with or without Diabetes) to take responsibility and monitor their health. Currently, one in 10 adults are Diabetic, a statistic which is expected to rise to one in three by the year 2050. There are many risk factors for Diabetes, including obesity, family history, or racial heritage (Hispanics, Pacific Islanders, African Americans, American Indians and Asians are all at a higher risk of developing the disease). However, experts recommend that regular exercise and a healthy diet could significantly reduce the risk of type 2 Diabetes.

Living with Diabetes? As you know, it is important for individuals with both types of Diabetes to monitor their blood sugar before and after meals, as well as getting regular Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) tests every three months. The HbA1c shows your average blood sugar levels from the preceding three month period and is used with your home blood sugar monitoring to make adjustments in your diabetes medications. You don’t have to go to your doctor to get the lab order for this important test! Instead, you can save time and money by ordering it yourself on personalabs.com for only $25.00, the lowest price on the web. You can use coupon code LAB4NF to save even more money off of your order.

The website also offers other diabetic lab tests that are essential to stay on top of your condition. For example, you can order a Complete Diabetic Profile for only $199 at personalabs.com (use coupon code LAB4NF for additional discounts). This panel is used as a routine follow-up survey of your diabetic condition. It includes the most common follow-up tests used to evaluate control of your disease as well as some associated conditions. This test will help you and your healthcare provider know if any changes in lifestyle activities and/or medications are needed.

For those who have not been diagnosed with Diabetes, but want to find out if they are at risk or have the disease, you can order a Comprehensive Diabetes Profile for only $85, which screens your blood level for elevated blood sugar and other conditions associated with diabetes. Not only can this profile be used to determine if you have diabetes, but it can also be used to monitor your diabetic condition if you have already been diagnosed.

The number one goal for Diabetics is to manage their disease to prevent long-term complications. Blood testing and maintaining a healthy lifestyle are critical aspects of this. Another important measure to take is getting routine eye exams annually. We can all do our part to help control this epidemic in the hopes of someday putting a stop to Diabetes!

As the largest minority group in the United States, Latinos are disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS. Did you know that in 2006, Hispanics comprised 15% of the US population, yet represented 18% of the HIV/AIDS cases that same year? Another startling statistic from that year is that Hispanic teens between the ages of 13 and 19 accounted for 19% of AIDS cases among teens in the US, although they represented 17% of the US teen population. It is clear that major changes need to take place to help put a stop to this epidemic that is sweeping the Latino population in this country. National Latino HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is today, October 15. The 2010 campaign is simple: “Save a life, it may be your own. Get tested.” It is important for every sexually active Latino in the US to make the right choice and get themselves tested for HIV/AIDS.

Ordering your test is very simple and completely confidential. Just visit www.justgettested.com, where you also have access to information and resources to help educate yourself and others on the importance of getting tested. Help promote sexual wellness, as well as having a positive impact on your physical and emotional health. No more excuses: JUST GET TESTED!!

For National Latino HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, use coupon code LAB4NF to receive additional discounts on your tests when you order them at www.justgettested.com.

You can also visit www.nlaad.org for additional information and statistics. Today, save a life… it may be your own. GET TESTED!!!

Personalabs has lowered the cost of their most comprehensive STD testing panel by over $90.

The Recent STD Exposure Panel ($389) is for people who have potentially been exposed to an STD. It includes tests for Hep B & C, Syphilis, Genital Herpes, Gonorrhea, Chlamydia and HIV. The HIV test is the ‘HIV Proviral DNA by PCR’ which can detect the presence of HIV infection after 28 days from possible exposure.

Read the rest of this entry »

They say that “every rose has its thorn” and glam rocker Bret Michaels has been feeling the pain lately. Diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at six years old, he has done more than manage his disease. He has blown it out of the water. He embraced everything a rocker lifestyle has to offer – the good, the bad and the ugly – and showed the world that living with diabetes is just another way of life. In fact, most of his fans didn’t even know he had diabetes, until his first concert at Madison Square Garden where he went out on stage pumped and ready and woke up later in a hospital room recovering from diabetic shock. After passing out on stage, to assuage rumors of drug overdose, he came clean and told everybody about his diabetes.

Time goes on, and to his credit, he embraced his celebrity and officially became one of the American Diabetes Associations’ favorite people. After becoming a contestant on Celebrity Apprentice he brought a national spotlight to the cause and raised $100,000 for diabetes camps in the very first episode.

Then, the trouble began. After a life threatening brain hemorrhage, his road to recovery – while quite impressive – hit yet another road bump. This road bump is quite familiar to many with diabetes. He had a stroke. Actually, he had a transient ischemic attack (TIA), or a warning stroke. Perhaps trying to endear himself to the American Heart Association, whose campaign this month is to recognize stroke symptoms, he was readmitted to the hospital with numbness on one side. They also found that he has a hole in his heart.

Ladies and gentlemen, here is the uglier side of diabetes. It’s a fact that diabetes contributes to a higher incidence of stroke and heart disease. While the link has not been confirmed with Michaels, there’s probably a pretty good chance that it will be.

Diabetes is not something to mess around with. If you have it, monitor it very carefully. If you’re not sure if you have it, get tested to find out. Michaels’ proclaimed “wild and crazy” life cannot have contributed positively to his health. Careful monitoring of blood sugar, glucose and hemoglobin along with positive diet and exercise decisions will significantly improve your chances of living a long and healthy life as a diabetic. Although Michaels has adopted this lifestyle now, could the years of abusing his body be catching up to him?

He seems to be getting a second and third chance to make changes. Many diabetics don’t get that luxury. Diabetes leads to heart disease and stroke. Monitor it well and make choices now because you may not get a second chance.

http://forecast.diabetes.org/magazine/only-online/rocker-bret-michaels-tackles-diabetes-celebrity-apprentice

You’re Never Too Old for an STD
The world we live in is drastically different than the one in which our current over 60 population grew up. Think back to the 1940s, 50s and 60s for a minute. Nice girls didn’t do it. It was NOT talked about except among the boys and the worst thing that could happen was getting your girl pregnant. Back then, pregnancy was tantamount to syphilis and gonorrhea because it couldn’t be cured. Although syphilis and gonorrhea have been around forever, the advent of penicillin made them easy to hide. So the only outward sign of a nice girl (or a not so nice girl) having sex was pregnancy. Fast boys on the other hand never had to ‘fess up – except around their buddies.

Fast forward to 2010. Every other commercial on television seems to promote a male enhancement drug. Divorces that waited until the children were out of the house are on the rise and the first Baby Boomers are reaching retirement age. Baby Boomers were at a prime age when the sexual revolution was in full swing. But that was in the 1960s and 1970s. In essence, there are a bunch of people today having sex who grew up in the 1940s, 50s, 60s and 70s and have never been educated about STDs and STIs. HIV was not discovered yet. Neither were Chlamydia, genital herpes, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and many other sexually transmitted diseases and sexually transmitted infections (STD/STI).
Somewhere between the soda shop and online dating sites, something very insidious happened to sex. It started to carry a price tag far greater than pregnancy. Today’s youth are much more informed about sexually transmitted diseases and sexually transmitted infections or illnesses than their older counterparts were. Young people for the most part use protection if they choose to have sex. Their grandparents don’t.
If the only thing you’re worried about is pregnancy, today’s older generation is basically in the clear. After menopause, you can’t get pregnant. Why use a condom if you can’t make a baby? Well, because you’re never too old to get an STD or STI. The scary part is that if you have symptoms, you’re lucky. Most of the STDs and STIs don’t carry any symptoms. So someone who has picked up an STD or STI can pass it around without ever knowing it.
Another problem facing today’s 60+ generation is the conversation with their doctor or lack thereof. Imagine a 30 something physician looking at an 80 something patient and asking if he’s using protection when having sex. Or, imagine that same 80-year-old talking to the equivalent of his or her grandchild about having safe sex. It’s uncomfortable all around. It’s not a conversation anyone wants to have, but it is critically important.
Finally, there could be an “I don’t really care if I have an STD” mentality in the older set. They think that because they are in their 70s, 80s and beyond something else will kill them before an STD or STI. They may be right. What they aren’t realizing though is that they may be passing those diseases and infections on to much younger partners without even realizing it. I don’t think they would want to do that if they thought about it.

So, to update the older generation on STDs and STIs, here is a handy checklist to consider:
1) Getting tested is the only way to know for certain if you have an STD or STI.
2) HIV is transferred among men and women now. Women represent the fastest growing number of new cases.
3) You are at risk of contracting an STD or STI if you have unprotected sex with anyone who has had unprotected sex with another partner.
4) Many STDs and STIs are curable.
5) Most STDs and STIs do not show outward symptoms.
6) Some STDs and STIs can cause acute liver damage and liver cancer.
7) Some STDs and STIs can be transmitted even if you wear a condom.
So for all of you out there enjoying your second (or third) go ‘round, please be aware that you are at risk for sexually transmitted diseases and infections. Safe sex is considered that which is enjoyed in a long-term monogamous relationship with a partner who has been tested and determined to be without infection. But if you can’t be sure, make sure to use a condom every time. Then get tested. Until June 1, anyone over the age of 50 can receive a 10% discount. Just enter coupon code OVER50.

When you think of AIDS and HIV, chances are, you immediately think of a skinny, sick-looking white male with his gay partner looking on with concern. That was the picture we saw over and over as HIV began to become noticeable. It was a gay man’s disease. Why then has HIV become the leading cause of death in African American women between the ages of 25 and 34?

Genetics?
What started out as a white man’s homosexually-transmitted disease has switched gender and race to become a black woman’s disease. There is quite a bit of speculation about why this is happening. Some studies link genetic possibilities. Evolutionary studies of Africans show a genetic trait that helps protect them from malaria. The bad news is that this genetic trait also makes them more susceptible to HIV. According to US News and World report, 60% of African Americans carry the trait and 90% of Africans carry it. The good news is that those carrying the trait live with the disease two years longer on average than those without the trait.

But this knowledge alone does no one any good. First of all, if you have the trait, there is nothing you can do about it. You can’t treat it, you can’t remove it, and you can’t change your body make-up. So who cares? Well, just because you have the trait doesn’t mean you have to have the disease. Trait or no trait, HIV is still something that is spread, not genetic. Therefore, other factors must contribute to the higher incidence of HIV/AIDs in women.

Biologically speaking
Women biologically are two times more likely to become infected during unprotected sex and to contract a sexually transmitted disease or infection. Like it or not, it’s the fact. Women have an open reproductive system and men have a closed system. Women bring stuff in, men send stuff out. Women are more vulnerable. Years ago, African American women blamed intravenous drug use as the greatest risk factor to contract HIV. Now, they are claiming heterosexual contact as the primary risk factor. But women of all colors, white included have heterosexual contact – why is AIDS so disproportionally impacting black women?

Poverty
Just like genetics, being poor does not give you AIDS. However, being poor does put you into situations where the risk factors are increased. More African American and Hispanic women are living below the poverty line than white women. That leads to an increase in the number of contributing factors such as prostitution, no health insurance, limited education, and less obvious – cultural differences. Many black children grow up in households where fathers are not present. Very strong and independent women raise them without the help of men. Young black boys who grow up in this environment may see having multiple partners as a norm and young black girls often see this as a standard way of living. With black men leading in the number of HIV cases overall, this leads to a volatile combination when infected men have concurrent sexual relationships with a variety of women. It makes the diseases spread faster.

Geographical
Studies have shown that living in the southern United States increases your chances of having HIV if you are a woman. Although only 29% of U.S. women live in the South, 76% of newly infected women come from that region. The South has the perfect prescription for HIV transmission. First, it has the highest poverty rates in the country, second, the most uninsured and third, the fewest high school graduates.

Other key factors
African American women and other women of color such as Hispanics, Pacific Islanders and Native American women carry the greatest risk for HIV infection. Combining biological vulnerability, lack of education, economic instability, domestic abuse, and lack of control in sexual relationships can be lethal to women.

Resources
If a woman, regardless of race, age or sexual preference, has had sexual encounters –with or without consent – they should be tested. If they test positive for HIV, there are many resources available to help them live with the disease. Early detection gives women a better chance of living a high quality life. For more information about HIV, here are some additional resources:

Kaiser Family Foundation: http://www.kff.org/hivaids/6092.cfm
Power Point Presentation: http://www.kaiseredu.org/tutorials/womenhiv/player.html
Women’s Health: http://www.womenshealth.gov/hiv/
Women’s Resources: http://www.thebody.com/content/art44411.html